A Letter to God Class 10, Chapter 1- Summary, Questions, MCQ and Answers
Detailed summary of 'A Letter to God' from NCERT Class X, Book First Flight.
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Introduction: Overview of 'A Letter to God', Class 10, NCERT, First Flight, Chapter 1
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'A Letter to God' is the first chapter in the book 'First Flight' for NCERT Class 10. Written by G.L. Fuentes, this touching story revolves around a farmer named Lencho and his unwavering faith in God. After a hailstorm destroys his crops, Lencho writes a letter to God seeking help.
Summary of 'A Letter to God' in 200 Words
The story begins with Lencho, a poor farmer, anxiously awaiting rain to ensure a good harvest. However, a hailstorm destroys his crops, leaving him and his family on the brink of starvation. Despite the disaster, Lencho's faith in God remains unshaken. He writes a letter to God, asking for 100 pesos to help him survive and replant his crops. Moved by Lencho's faith, the postmaster and his colleagues contribute money and send it to Lencho, signing it 'God.' However, when Lencho receives only 70 pesos, he is convinced that the post office employees stole the rest.
Summary Of A Letter to God In Hindi
कहानी "ईश्वर को एक पत्र" एक गरीब किसान लैंचो की है, जिसका भगवान पर अटूट विश्वास है। लैंचो अपने खेतों में अच्छी फसल की उम्मीद कर रहा था, लेकिन एक भयंकर ओलावृष्टि ने उसकी सारी फसल बर्बाद कर दी।
अपने इस कठिन समय में, लैंचो ने भगवान से मदद की उम्मीद की। उसने भगवान को एक पत्र लिखा, जिसमें उसने 100 पेसो की मांग की ताकि वह फिर से बुवाई कर सके और अपने परिवार का भरण-पोषण कर सके। लैंचो ने पत्र पर सिर्फ "ईश्वर" का पता लिखा और उसे डाकघर में डाल दिया।
डाकघर के कर्मचारी लैंचो के इस पत्र को देखकर हैरान हो गए। लेकिन पोस्टमास्टर, जो एक दयालु व्यक्ति था, लैंचो के विश्वास से प्रभावित हुआ। उसने अपने साथियों से पैसे इकट्ठे किए और लैंचो को 70 पेसो भेज दिए। पैसे के साथ भेजे गए पत्र पर सिर्फ "ईश्वर" लिखा था।
जब लैंचो को 70 पेसो मिले, तो वह नाराज हो गया। उसे विश्वास था कि भगवान ने पूरे 100 पेसो भेजे होंगे, लेकिन डाकघर के कर्मचारियों ने बाकी पैसे चुरा लिए होंगे। उसने फिर से भगवान को पत्र लिखा, जिसमें उसने बाकी 30 पेसो भेजने की मांग की और डाकघर के कर्मचारियों को चोर कहा।
इस कहानी का मुख्य संदेश यह है कि विश्वास में बड़ी शक्ति होती है, लेकिन कभी-कभी हम दूसरों की दयालुता को पहचानने में विफल रहते हैं। यह कहानी लैंचो के विश्वास और मानवीय स्वभाव की विडंबना को खूबसूरती से दर्शाती है।
ಕಥೆ ಗರಿ ಬಡ ರೈತ ಲೆಂಚೊ ದಾನೆಯಿಂದ ಆರಂಭವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ, ಏನಾದರೂ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಬೆಳೆ ಬರುವಂತೆ ಮಳೆಯಿಗಾಗಿ ಕಾಯುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಆದರೂ, ಒಂದು ಗಾಳಿಮಳೆ ಅವನ ಬೆಳೆಗಳನ್ನು ನಾಶಮಾಡುತ್ತದೆ, ಅವನ ಕುಟುಂಬದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಅಕ್ಕಪಕ್ಕದ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತಲೆ ಹಾಕುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಈ ದುರಂತದ ನಡುವೆಯೂ, ಲೆಂಚೊದ ದೇವರ ಮೇಲಿನ ನಂಬಿಕೆ ಅಜರಾಮರವಾಗಿದೆ. ಅವನು ದೇವರಿಗೆ ಒಂದು ಪತ್ರ ಬರೆದು, 100 ಪೆಸೊಸ್ ಅನ್ನು ಅವನ ಬೆಳೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮರುಬಿತ್ತಲು ಹಾಗೂ ಬದುಕಲು ಕೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಲೆಂಚೊದ ನಂಬಿಕೆ ನೋಡುವುದರಿಂದ, ತಪಾಲೆದಾರರು ಮತ್ತು ಅವನ ಸಹೋದ್ಯೋಗಿಗಳು ಹಣವನ್ನು ಒದಗಿಸಿ ಲೆಂಚೊಗೆ "ದೇವರು" ಸೀಲ್ ಹಾಕಿ ಕಳುಹಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೂ, ಲೆಂಚೊ 70 ಪೆಸೊಸ್ ಮಾತ್ರ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಾನೆ, ತಪಾಲೆದಾರರು ಉಳಿದ ಹಣವನ್ನು ಕದ್ದಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂದು ನಂಬುತ್ತಾನೆ.
କାହାଣୀଟି ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେଉଛି ଲେଞ୍ଚୋ ନାମକ ଏକ ଗରିବ ଚାଷୀ ଦ୍ଵାରା, ଯାହା ଏକ ଭଲ ଫସଲ ପାଇଁ ବର୍ଷାକୁ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରୁଥିଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ଏକ ଓଳକ ପତ୍ରିଅକୁଳା ତାଙ୍କର ଫସଲକୁ ନଷ୍ଟ କରିଥାଏ, ଯାହାର ଫଳରେ ସେ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ପରିବାର ଖାଇବାକୁ ଲାଗିବା ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାଣ ଜୋଗାଯୋଗ କରିବାରେ ସମର୍ଥ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି। ଏହି ଦୁର୍ଗତିରେ, ଲେଞ୍ଚୋର ଦେବତାର ପ୍ରତି ଅପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନୀୟ ଭରସା ରହେ। ସେ ଦେବତାକୁ 100 ପେସୋ ଜାଗ୍ରତ ଫସଲ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ପରିବାରକୁ ଜୀବନ ଜୀବନ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ପତ୍ର ଲେଖେ। ଲେଞ୍ଚୋର ନିର୍ଭରତା ଦେଖି, ତପାଲକର୍ମୀ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ସହକର୍ମୀମାନେ ଏକ ଏକାତ୍ତ ରାଶି ପଠାନ୍ତି। ହେଲେ, ଲେଞ୍ଚୋ 70 ପେସୋ ହାସଲ କରିଥାଏ ଏବଂ ମନେ କରେ ଯେ ତପାଲକର୍ମୀମାନେ ଅନ୍ୟରୁପ ହାରିଚନ୍ତି।
ਕਹਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤ ਲੈਂਚੋ, ਇੱਕ ਗਰੀਬ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਚੰਗੀ ਫ਼ਸਲ ਲਈ ਬਾਰਸ਼ ਦਾ ਬੇਸਬਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਇੰਤਜ਼ਾਰ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਹਾਲਾਂਕਿ, ਇੱਕ ਓਲਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਰਸਾਤ ਉਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਫ਼ਸਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਬਾਹ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ ਅਤੇ ਉਸਦਾ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਭੁੱਖਮਰੀ ਦੀ ਕਾਗਾਰ 'ਤੇ ਆ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਇੰਨੀ ਵੱਡੀ ਮੁਸੀਬਤ ਦੇ ਬਾਵਜੂਦ, ਲੈਂਚੋ ਦਾ ਰੱਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਕਦੇ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਡਗਮਗਾਉਂਦਾ। ਉਹ ਰੱਬ ਨੂੰ 100 ਪੇਸੋ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਪੱਤਰ ਲਿਖਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਕਿ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਾਏ ਲਈ ਨਵੇਂ ਸਿਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਫ਼ਸਲ ਬੀਜ ਸਕੇ। ਲੈਂਚੋ ਦੇ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਤੋਂ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਿਤ ਹੋ ਕੇ, ਡਾਕਘਰ ਦੇ ਮੁਲਾਜ਼ਮ ਅਤੇ ਉਸਦੇ ਸਹਿਯੋਗੀ ਪੈਸਾ ਇਕੱਠਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਹਨੂੰ ਭੇਜਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਇਸਨੂੰ 'ਰੱਬ' ਦੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਸਤਖ਼ਤ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਹਾਲਾਂਕਿ, ਜਦੋਂ ਲੈਂਚੋ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਰਫ 70 ਪੇਸੋ ਮਿਲਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਡਾਕਘਰ ਦੇ ਕਰਮਚਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਬਾਕੀ ਪੈਸੇ ਚੋਰੀ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ।
গল্পটি শুরু হয় লেনচো, একজন দরিদ্র কৃষক, যে ভাল ফসলের জন্য বৃষ্টির অপেক্ষায় থাকে। কিন্তু এক ঝড় তার ফসল ধ্বংস করে দেয়, ফলে তার পরিবার প্রায় অনাহারের মুখে পড়ে। দুর্যোগ সত্ত্বেও, লেনচোর ঈশ্বরের প্রতি বিশ্বাস অটুট থাকে। তিনি ঈশ্বরকে ১০০ পেসো চেয়ে একটি চিঠি লেখেন, যাতে তিনি ফসল পুনরায় লাগাতে পারেন। লেনচোর বিশ্বাস দেখে, ডাকঘরের পোস্টমাস্টার ও তার সহকর্মীরা টাকা সংগ্রহ করে এবং লেনচোকে পাঠায়, স্বাক্ষর করে ‘ঈশ্বর’। কিন্তু, লেনচো ৭০ পেসো পেলে, তিনি নিশ্চিত হন যে বাকিটা ডাকঘর কর্মীরা চুরি করেছে।
கதையின் தொடக்கம் லெஞ்சோ என்ற ஏழை விவசாயியுடன் தொடங்குகிறது, அவர் நல்ல விளைச்சலுக்காக மழையை எதிர்பார்த்துக் காத்திருந்தார். ஆனால் ஒரு கல்லிடை மழை அவரது பயிர்களை அழித்துவிடுகிறது, இதனால் அவர் மற்றும் அவரது குடும்பம் பட்டினி காரணமாக கோரக்கழியில் விழுந்துவிடுகிறார்கள். இந்த விபத்திற்குப்பிறகும், லெஞ்சோவின் கடவுள்மீதான நம்பிக்கை நிலைத்திருக்கிறது. அவர் கடவுளுக்கு ஒரு கடிதம் எழுதுகிறார், அதில் 100 பெசோக்கள் கேட்டுக்கொள்கிறார், அதனால் அவர் மீண்டும் விளைச்சலைப் புதுப்பிக்க முடியும். லெஞ்சோவின் நம்பிக்கையால் மெய்ம்மேலும் கலங்கிய தபால்காரர் மற்றும் அவரது துணை ஊழியர்கள் பணத்தைத் திரட்டி, அதனை "கடவுள்" என்ற பெயரில் லெஞ்சோவுக்கு அனுப்புகிறார்கள். ஆனால், லெஞ்சோக்கு 70 பெசோக்கள் மட்டுமே கிடைக்கும்போது, அவர் தபால் அலுவலக ஊழியர்கள் மீதமுள்ள பணத்தை திருடிவிட்டார்கள் என்று நம்புகிறார்.
కథ లెన్చో అనే ఒక పేద రైతుతో ప్రారంభమవుతుంది, అతను మంచి పంట కోసం వర్షం రావాలని ఆతురతగా ఎదురుచూస్తున్నాడు. అయితే, ఒక వడగండ్ల వాన అతని పంటలను నాశనం చేస్తుంది, తద్వారా అతనూ, అతని కుటుంబం ఆకలితో సతమతమవుతున్నారు. ఈ విపత్తు ఉన్నప్పటికీ, లెన్చో దేవుడిపై ఉన్న విశ్వాసం తగ్గలేదు. అతను దేవునికి 100 పెసోల కోసం లేఖ రాస్తాడు, తద్వారా అతను పంటను తిరిగి నాటుకోవచ్చు. లెన్చో యొక్క విశ్వాసం ద్వారా ప్రభావితమై, పోస్టుమాస్టర్ మరియు అతని సహచరులు డబ్బు సేకరించి, "దేవుడు" గా సంతకం చేసి లెన్చోకు పంపుతారు. అయితే, లెన్చోకు కేవలం 70 పెసోలు మాత్రమే వచ్చాయి, కాబట్టి పోస్టాఫీస్ ఉద్యోగులు మిగిలిన డబ్బు దొంగిలించారని అతను నమ్ముతున్నాడు.
കഥ തുടങ്ങുന്നത് ലെൻചോ എന്ന ദരിദ്ര കർഷകൻ നല്ല വിളവിനായി മഴ കാത്തിരിക്കുകയാണ്. എന്നാൽ ഒരു മഞ്ഞുവീഴ്ചയിൽ അവന്റെ വിളകൾ നശിക്കുകയും കുടുംബം വിശപ്പിന്റെ വക്കിൽ എത്തുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. ഈ ദുരന്തത്തിലും, ലെൻചോയുടെ ദൈവത്തിലുള്ള വിശ്വാസം അക്രമമില്ലാതെ തുടരുന്നു. 100 പേസോ ആവശ്യപ്പെടുന്ന ഒരു കത്ത് ദൈവത്തിന് എഴുതുന്നു, ഈ വിളകൾ വീണ്ടും നട്ടുപിടിപ്പിക്കാൻ. ലെൻചോയുടെ വിശ്വാസത്തിൽ പ്രചോദിതരായി, തപാൽ മേധാവിയും സഹപ്രവർത്തകരും പണം സമാഹരിച്ചു, "ദൈവം" എന്നുവിളിച്ചു, ലെൻചോയ്ക്ക് അയക്കുന്നു. എന്നാൽ, ലെൻചോയ്ക്ക് 70 പേസോ മാത്രമേ ലഭിക്കുന്നുള്ളൂ, അതിനാൽ തപാൽ ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥർ ബാക്കി പണം മോഷ്ടിച്ചതായി വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നു.
કહાણીની શરૂઆત લેનચો, એક ગરીબ ખેડૂત, જે સારી પાક માટે વરસાદની આતુરતાથી રાહ જોઈ રહ્યો છે, થી થાય છે. પરંતુ એક વાવાઝોડું તેની પાકોને નષ્ટ કરી નાખે છે, જેના કારણે તે અને તેનો પરિવાર ભુખમરીની કગારમાં આવે છે. આ આપત્તિ છતાં, લેનચોનો ભગવાન પરનો વિશ્વાસ અડગ રહે છે. તે ભગવાનને પત્ર લખે છે અને 100 પેસો માંગે છે જેથી તે ફરીથી પાક વાવી શકે. લેનચોનો વિશ્વાસ જોઈને, ટપાલા વડા અને તેના સાથીદારો પૈસા એકત્ર કરે છે અને "ભગવાન" તરીકે હસ્તાક્ષર કરીને તે લેનચોને મોકલે છે. જો કે, જ્યારે લેનચો 70 પેસો જ મેળવે છે, ત્યારે તે માન્ય રાખે છે કે ટપાલ કર્મચારીઓએ બાકીની રકમ ચોરી લીધી છે.
कथेची सुरुवात लॅन्को नावाच्या गरीब शेतकऱ्यापासून होते, जो चांगल्या पिकासाठी पावसाची आतुरतेने वाट पाहत असतो. मात्र, एका गारपीटीत त्याचे पीक नष्ट होते, ज्यामुळे तो आणि त्याचे कुटुंब उपासमारीच्या उंबरठ्यावर येतात. या आपत्तीमुळेही, लॅन्कोचा देवावरचा विश्वास अबाधित राहतो. तो देवाला एक पत्र लिहून १०० पेसो मागतो, जेणेकरून तो पुन्हा पीक पेरू शकेल. लॅन्कोचा विश्वास पाहून, पोस्टमास्तर आणि त्याचे सहकारी पैसे जमा करून, ‘देव’ म्हणून स्वाक्षरी करून त्याला पाठवतात. परंतु, जेव्हा लॅन्कोला फक्त ७० पेसो मिळतात, तेव्हा तो मानतो की पोस्ट ऑफिसच्या कर्मचाऱ्यांनी उर्वरित पैसे चोरले आहेत.
গল্পটো লেঞ্চো নামৰ এজন দুখীয়া কৃষকৰ পৰা আৰম্ভ হয়, যি এটা ভাল ধানৰ বাবে বৰষুণৰ অপেক্ষা কৰি আছিল। কিন্তু এজন মাত্ৰ শিলাবৃষ্টিয়ে তেওঁৰ ধানসমূহ ধ্বংস কৰি দিয়ে, আৰু তেওঁৰ পৰিয়ালক দুৰ্ভিক্ষৰ সন্মুখীন কৰি তোলে। বিপদৰ পাছতো, লেঞ্চোৰ ভগৱানৰ ওপৰত বিশ্বাস অটুট থাকে। তেওঁ ভগৱানলৈ ১০০ পেছ' বিচাৰি এখন চিঠি লিখে, যাতে তেওঁ পুনৰ ধান ৰোপণ কৰিব পাৰে। লেঞ্চোৰ বিশ্বাস দেখি, ডাকঘৰৰ কৰ্মচাৰীসকলে আৰু তেওঁৰ সহকৰ্মীসকলে টকা সংগ্ৰহ কৰি "ভগৱান" নামৰ সৈতে চিঠিখন লগাই তেওঁলৈ পঠিয়াই দিয়ে। কিন্তু লেঞ্চোক মাথোঁ ৭০ পেছ'হে পালে, তেওঁ বিশ্বাস কৰে যে ডাকঘৰৰ কৰ্মচাৰীসকলে বাকী টকা চুৰি কৰিছে।
कथेंची सुरुवात लेंचो नावाच्या गरीब शेतकऱ्यानं सुरू जाल्या, जे चांगल्या पिकाचेर पावसाचेर वाट बघत आसतलो. परंतु, एक वादळ तिचें पिकें नाश करून ताका आनी ताच्या परिवाराक उपासमारीचेर फाटो दिवता. ह्या आपत्तीचेर देखिल, लेंचोचें देवाक बरोबर विश्वास निस्तरतलो ना. तो देवाक एक पत्र बरेता आनी 100 पेसो मागता, जर ताका फाटां पिकाचेर नव्यान फसल तयार करपाचें आसता. लेंचोचें विश्वास पळयेर, पोस्ट मास्टर आनी ताचे सहकारी पैसे एकवटून "देव" म्हणता आनी लेंचो कडे पाठवतात. परंतु, लेंचो फकत 70 पेसो हच पावता, आनी पोस्टाचे कार्मचारी पळयेर उर्लें पैसे चोरल्याचें तो धरतो.
নিংথোক তবীর লেঞ্চো নাম লমলমখী মী যাষা উজল লমদে গি ফুম জেনখ্রবা থুরামনি হৌরি। অথৈমখিদবা ওয়াখাংয়ে ইদংনা পাখপা তুরা ফুম থবীর মীজামতু হৌরি লেঞ্চো গি ঈশোয়ংথৌনং হুকহোকজারমে। ১০০ পেসো ঈশোয়ংথৌনংনুংজারখরি পমত্তী চেঙ্গদা ইনামদা অয়িনবা ফুম চী ইশিজারজখরি। পোস্টমাস্টারমা আনি উমংথৌমাউ উরিজারি ইদংনা ঈশোয়ংথৌনং ইগিশাগীং উরাকায়খ্রী, অত্তুবা লেঞ্চোংনা চৈ নপা ৭০ পেসো ফুমজারি থুরামনুংজারু।
Questions and Answers
1. What did Lencho hope for? Ans: Lencho hoped for rain to ensure a good harvest for his crops. 2. Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like 'new coins'? Ans: Lencho compared the raindrops to 'new coins' because they represented prosperity and a good harvest for him. 3. How did the postmaster react to Lencho's letter? Ans: The postmaster was deeply moved by Lencho's faith in God and decided to gather money from his colleagues to help him.
Moral of the Story
'A Letter to God' teaches the importance of faith, but also highlights the irony in human nature. Lencho's unwavering faith in God is commendable, but his inability to see the goodness in others—like the postmaster—adds a layer of irony to the story.
FAQ related to 'A Letter to God'
What was Lencho's request in the letter?
Lencho requested 100 pesos in his letter to God to help him survive and replant his crops after the hailstorm destroyed his fields.
Why did Lencho think the post office employees were thieves?
Lencho believed that the post office employees stole the remaining money because he had asked for 100 pesos but received only 70.
What is the irony in the story?
The irony lies in the fact that Lencho had immense faith in God, but he could not see the kindness of the postmaster and his colleagues, who tried to help him by collecting money.
Answer for Thinking About The Text
Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentences in the story tell you this?
Lencho has complete faith in God. The sentence that demonstrates this is: "God," he wrote, "if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year."
Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter ‘God’?
The postmaster sends money to Lencho because he is deeply moved by Lencho’s faith in God. He signs the letter 'God' to keep Lencho’s faith intact and to make him believe that his request was heard by God.
Did Lencho try to find out who had sent the money to him? Why/Why not?
No, Lencho did not try to find out who sent the money. He had such strong faith in God that he believed the money came directly from Him.
Who does Lencho think has taken the rest of the money? What is the irony in the situation?
Lencho thinks that the post office employees have taken the rest of the money. The irony is that the very people who helped Lencho by contributing money are the ones he accuses of being thieves.
Are there people like Lencho in the real world? What kind of a person would you say he is?
Yes, there are people like Lencho in the real world who have unwavering faith but may also be naive. Lencho can be described as unquestioning and perhaps a bit ungrateful since he fails to appreciate the kindness of the post office employees.
There are two kinds of conflict in the story: between humans and nature, and between humans themselves. How are these conflicts illustrated?
The conflict between humans and nature is illustrated when the hailstorm destroys Lencho’s crops, leaving him helpless. The conflict between humans themselves is shown when Lencho blames the post office employees for stealing his money, despite their efforts to help him.
Thinking about the language
I. Look at the following sentence from the story.
Suddenly a strong wind began to blow and along with the rain very large hailstones began to fall.
‘Hailstones’ are small balls of ice that fall like rain. A storm in which hailstones fall is a ‘hailstorm’. You know that a storm is bad weather with strong winds, rain, thunder, and lightning.
There are different names in different parts of the world for storms, depending on their nature. Can you match the names in the box with their descriptions below, and fill in the blanks? You may use a dictionary to help you.
- A violent tropical storm in which strong winds move in a circle: Cyclone
- An extremely strong wind: Gale
- A violent tropical storm with very strong winds: Typhoon
- A violent storm whose centre is a cloud in the shape of a funnel: Tornado
- A violent storm with very strong winds, especially in the western Atlantic Ocean: Hurricane
- A very strong wind that moves very fast in a spinning movement and causes a lot of damage: Whirlwind
II. Notice how the word ‘hope’ is used in these sentences from the story:
- (a) I hope it (the hailstorm) passes quickly.
- (b) There was a single hope: help from God.
In the first example, ‘hope’ is a verb which means you wish for something to happen. In the second example, it is a noun meaning a chance for something to happen.
Match the sentences in Column A with the meanings of ‘hope’ in Column B
Column A
- Will you get the subjects you want to study in college? I hope so.
- I hope you don’t mind my saying this, but I don’t like the way you are arguing.
- This discovery will give new hope to HIV/AIDS sufferers.
- We were hoping against hope that the judges would not notice our mistakes.
- I called early in the hope of speaking to her before she went to school.
- Just when everybody had given up hope, the fishermen came back, seven days after the cyclone.
Column B
- a feeling that something good will probably happen
- thinking that this would happen (It may or may not have happened.)
- stopped believing that this good thing would happen
- wanting something to happen (and thinking it quite possible)
- showing concern that what you say should not offend or disturb the other person: a way of being polite
- wishing for something to happen, although this is very unlikely
Answers:
- 1 - a feeling that something good will probably happen
- 2 - showing concern that what you say should not offend or disturb the other person: a way of being polite
- 3 - wanting something to happen (and thinking it quite possible)
- 4 - wishing for something to happen, although this is very unlikely
- 5 - thinking that this would happen (It may or may not have happened.)
- 6 - stopped believing that this good thing would happen
III. Relative Clauses
Look at these sentences:
(a) All morning Lencho — who knew his fields intimately — looked at the sky.
(b) The woman, who was preparing supper, replied, “Yes, God willing.’’
The italicised parts of the sentences give us more information about Lencho and the woman. These are called relative clauses. They begin with a relative pronoun such as who. Other common relative pronouns include whom, whose, and which.
Exercise: Join the sentences using who, whom, whose, which
- I often go to Mumbai. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India.
Answer: I often go to Mumbai, which is the commercial capital of India. - My mother is going to host a TV show on cooking. She cooks very well.
Answer: My mother, who cooks very well, is going to host a TV show on cooking. - These sportspersons are going to meet the President. Their performance has been excellent.
Answer: These sportspersons, whose performance has been excellent, are going to meet the President. - Lencho prayed to God. His eyes see into our minds.
Answer: Lencho prayed to God, whose eyes see into our minds. - This man cheated me. I trusted him.
Answer: This man, whom I trusted, cheated me.
IV. Using Negatives for Emphasis
We know that sentences with words such as no, not, or nothing show the absence of something, or contradict something.
Find sentences in the story with negative words that express the following ideas emphatically:
- The trees lost all their leaves.
Answer: Not a leaf remained on the trees. - The letter was addressed to God himself.
Answer: It was nothing less than a letter to God. - The postman saw this address for the first time in his career.
Answer: Never in his career had the postman seen an address like this.
Author Introduction
Prabhakar Jha is a B.Tech graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad. He completed his schooling from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Darbhanga, Bihar.
Before this, he worked as a Principal Engineer at magicpin, where he oversaw the development of the customer iOS app, customer web, and merchant products. His experience at magicpin helped him refine his skills in leading large-scale projects and building efficient technical solutions for a diverse user base.
Prabhakar is an accomplished writer and educator, known for his ability to convey complex topics in a simple and accessible manner, leveraging his strong technical background and academic experience.
Connect with Prabhakar on LinkedIn: LinkedIn
